Structures of folding tables



y 1969 P. J. M. o. SANCHEZ 3,456,600

STRUCTURES OF FOLDING TABLES Filed Dec. 22, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 235w; 1 /dha 05002 mv NTOR ATTORNEY y 1969 P. J. M. o. SANCHEZ STRUCTURES OF FOLDING TABLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1967 I BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,456,600 STRUCTURES OF FOLDING TABLES Pascual Jose M. Oscoz Sanchez, Ibanez de Bilbao 6, Bilbao 1, Spain Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 692,795 Int. Cl. A47b 1/04, 3/083 US. Cl. 108-33 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is applicable to any type of furniture equipped with collapsible table tops, especially to folding tables used in offices.

The structure in accordance with the present invention consists fundamentally of two vertical frameworks articulated one to the other by means of appropriate hinges: one of the said frameworks is articulated in the same manner to the fixed part of the piece of furniture in question.

The folding structure thus formed, and with the appropriate dimensions and form, can be completely collapsed against the fixed part and can be unfolded in order to constitute with the whole of its upper edge the supporting elements for a collapsible table-top articulated to the said fixed part.

From what has been said above it can be deduced that the scructure corresponding to this invention is extremely simple, and precisely because of its simplicity is completely safe.

In order to facilitate the better understanding of this invention, in the annexed drawings'which complement the present exposition, a practical form of industrial embodiment is shown which is included with a merely informative character and consequently is in no way limitative of the invention.

In the said drawings FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 show a perspective view of a structure in accordance with the invention, formed by articulated panels which are respectively situated in the totally unfolded position, in the semi-unfolded position, and in the folded position.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show, in the unfolded and folded positions respectively, a table constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 6 shows a table equipped with two collapsible table-tops, supported by a folding structure in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 7 shows, in another form of embodiment, a complex of two tables with collapsible table-tops which can be joined to a piece of furniture.

FIGURE 8 shows a table with two table-tops, one of which is fitted to an articulated structure.

FIGURE 9 shows the same table as that represented in the previous figure, with the table-tops unfolded.

As has already been indicated, FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 respectively show the fundamental folding structure of the invention.

This structure is constituted by a fixed panel 1, which can be independent framework supported on the floor or may form part of a piece of furniture equipped with drawers. The said table-top of framework presents two lateral projecting elements or flanges 6, the purpose of which is to form a recess to receive the panels which form the structure when the said panels are folded.

The folding structure is constituted by two panels 2 and 3, articulated to one another by means of the hinge 5 and the panel 2, articulated by means of the hinge 4 to the edge of one of the flanges -6. The position of these hinges is such that when the two panels 2 and 3 are in the folded position, as shown in FIGURE 3, the external 3,456,600 Patented July 22, 1969 ice face of the panel 3 does not project beyond the edge of the said flanges.

The end panel 3 is equipped with an adjustable or caster type wheel 7 located at the lower forward end of the panel 3 intended to facilitate the movement from the folded position of FIG. 3 to the position of use, represented in FIGURE 1, in which the intermediate panel 2 is situated in a position perpendicular to framework 1 and the end panel, forming an angle of approximately 45.

The function of this structure is to support the table-top of the table, as is shown in the remaining figures. Thus, in the case of FIGURES 5 and 6, the fixed part of the structure is the piece of furniture 8 to which there is articulated, by means of the hinges 11, one or two table-tops 9 equipped with a flange 10, so that in the folded position .the collapsed panels 2 and 3 are totally concealed.

This form of embodiment of the invention is especially I intended for office tables and has the special feature, be-

cause of the fact that the folding elements of the structure are opaque panels, of completely concealing the lower limbs of the user.

In a variant of embodiment of the table described above, represented in FIGURE 7, the table-tops are articulated to independent frameworks 13, fitted on wheels, which frameworks can be utilized separately with independent tables or may be coupled to the lateral elements of the piece of furniture 12, being fixed by means of the devices 15 which are coupled to the recesses 14, although any other suitable system of fixing may be employed.

In another varient of embodiment, represented in the figures, the frameworks 15 are articulated by means of the hinge 16 at one of the angles, in such a manner that the table-tops may be utilized abutting against the piece of furniture or forming an angle as is shown in FIG- URE 9.

The nature of the invention having been sufliciently described, as well as an example of its practical embodiment, it only remains to be added that in the complex and parts described it is possible to introduce changes of material, form, and arrangement provided that such alterations do not imply any substantial variations in the nature and essence of the said invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding table comprising, a fixed channel-shaped frame consisting of a panel having side flanges disposed at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel, a first movable support panel of a size enabling it to fit against the fixed panel between the flanges thereof, said first movable support panel having one edge pivotally attached to one of the flanges; a second movable support panel pivoted at one edge to the second edge of the first movable panel, the pivotal connection of the first and second panels to one another and the pivotal connection between the first movable panel and the flange enabling both of the panels to be disposed flatly and in facial relation over one another between the flanges of the frame, while also permitting said movable panels to be extended, when desired, out of the frame and caused to project therefrom to co-operate with the frame in the support of a table top, the two support panels being of substantially the same height so that when said panels are extended into top-supporting position, the table top will rest on the upper edges of both of the support panels and be supported by both of them.

2. A folding table according to claim 1 wherein the second movable panel has a free end and a caster roller is attached to the bottom of said panel at a point adjacent to its free end.

3. A folding table according to claim 1 wherein the channel-shaped frame has a horizontal top flange extending over and closing the upper end of the channel in said frame, a table top hinged at one end to the top flange whereby the table top, when extended flatly outward from the top flange will project horizontally over the tops of the first and second support panels when said panels are extended out of the frame, and be supported on the tops of both of said support panels; and said table t p, when depending downwardly from its hinge, serving as a closure for the channel in the frame and then covering and concealing the support panels then disposed be- 11 md the table top and located in the frame.

4 A folding table according to claim 1, wherein the frame is attached to a vertical portion of an article of furniture and wherein the table top is pivotally attached a the top of said frame in a manner to enable the table trip to extend horizontally over the top of the extended support panels and be supported by both of them, or to hang down and cover the said panels when they are housed within the frame.

5. A folding tabel according to claim 4, wherein the article of furniture has a second table top pivoted to a second frame on a side of the furniture opposite to that at which the first frame is attached, the two table tops when swung downwardly to vertical position acting to close each of the channel-shaped frames to thus cover and conceal the panel supports contained in said frames,

4 and the table tops when arranged in a horizontal position caused to project laterally from the opposite sides of the furniture, then permitting extension of the panel sup ports out of their respective frames to horizontally support the table tops of all of their upper edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner GLENN O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

